Luke Wilson goes off on the CFL..

[The Zipp]

new sideline reporter for TSN and former NFL player Luke Wilson went off on the CFL last night on his twitter account, he made some decent points - lots to discuss and digest here:



I told you I would be honest and tell the truth about the CFL.

If the goal is to grow the game and attract a younger demographic, the on field product of the Sask/Toronto game is just not going to cut it. That game was hot garbage...Let me be clear in saying that I don't think it's a talent thing. This isn't a shot at the players. But that game was really bad.

Let's start with the obvious. There were 29 penalties for 307 yards. It was absurd. (Not a shot at the refs either). That in itself is enough to ruin any kind of football game. It was a tough watch.

Next let's go to the end of the game; it's junk ball. Yes I said it. Junk football. First off, Sask misses a chip shot 33 yard FG, which would have basically sealed the win. Instead they are awarded a point for missing it (ball wasn't returnable/didn't land in the field of play). They then kick off and give up a 9 play TD drive where there is 1 penalty, 1 incompletion and every other play is a tackle in bounds. No time outs are used and it took 1:39. There are no "big plays"either, it's mainly check downs. Nothing could be more gimmicky than that. You've basically eliminated any sort of "2 min drive" there is not the slightest bit of urgency needed.

The Argo's kick off and don't even field a full team... yes that's correct. After tying the game with 23 seconds left. The Argos are a man short on the kickoff. There is a block in the back penalty that is missed and the play should have been called back.

For a 3 down "throwing league" there were 4 total completions of a 20+ throw.

There were 12, I repeat 12, QB sneaks.

The Argos has 31 pass attempts and per PFF gave up 25 pressures. Insane.

I log onto socials after the game and it's tweet after tweet about how AMAZING the CFL is because of the kick return ending. Even articles and podcasts declaring the CFL's greatness. It's bold face lies. The league and the people who cover it are trying so hard to protect the game that their lack of honesty is ruining it. Why can't we call it like it is. A bad football game.

Let me be very clear, if the goal is to grow the game for a younger demographic. This sort of stuff will not do it. You'd have a better chance at pissing in a hot sauce bottle than having any sort of substantial growth with games like that.

I want to end by saying there have been some great games already this season, and I do believe the CFL has the players and the talent to attract a ton of new fans in all demographics, but sometimes I wonder if the "powers that be" actually want that to occur.

*disclaimer please don't respond with "there are bad games in the nfl" YES, there most certainly are! But the NFL doesn't have the same issues the CFL does. One of which is that there are only 4 games a weekend so each game is magnified to its audience.

[Blueforlife]

I don't agree with most of this.  The good old NFL is better than CFL slant is clear here.  Yes not a great game at times and some bad errors; easy to pile on when there are some bad moments in a game.  I found it exciting.  Toronto missing their starter.  Early season.  Give me a break.  He can go off alright, off to cover the NFL.  His post comes off as a rant to me, click bait.

[blue_gold_84]

Luke Wilson used to be cool.

[Waffler]

He is criticizing things that are like holy ground here. The way the clock runs in the last 3 minutes. Yes, it had given us many exciting endings but Americans find it odd, possibly unfair. I have read that players call it the 5th quarter.  He also doesn't like the single point. The mistakes? To me it is a product of 2 exhibition games. The 12 QB sneaks, a product of the wider field and extra room also the extra yard off the ball. With 3 downs I feel we need that yard.

So I ask, does he even like Canadian football? Maybe he should stick to the American version.

[The Zipp]

i agree with him on the penalties - are those a result of:

poor coaching, earlier in the season, not enough practice time, no practice with pads, player talent, over exuberant refs??  likely a combo plate..

the rest sounds like anti cfl bias.

[LXTSN]

Is it okay to love both leagues?
As long as the CFL can be profitable, I don't see why we have an issue?

[The Zipp]

Is it okay to love both leagues?
As long as the CFL can be profitable, I don't see why we have an issue?

absolutely- i love both and consider myself lucky to have football to watch from June - February. 

i appreciate both leagues and the differences between them.  the hype of the NFL is unmatched - probably only by soccer in Europe.

[TBURGESS]

He's not wrong. It was an ugly game, but both the NFL and CFL have clunkers & entertaining well played games. 

[blue_gold_84]

He's not wrong. It was an ugly game, but both the NFL and CFL have clunkers & entertaining well played games.

He's not right, either.

[LXTSN]

absolutely- i love both and consider myself lucky to have football to watch from June - February. 

i appreciate both leagues and the differences between them.  the hype of the NFL is unmatched - probably only by soccer in Europe.

I just want to put you on to two more leagues that might have more hype (not saying that I get more excited for these, but the fans are insane).
Euro League or Greek League basketball. If you haven't seen video of these crowds you should take a quick trip to YouTube. That is probably the biggest home team advantage in the world.
The second I'd put ahead of the NFL is college football. Not a big shock but having students make up at least 3/4 of your audience can make for a wild experience!

[LXTSN]

He's not right, either.

I think he is right in saying there are some ugly CFL games. Lots of them actually. Maybe more than half of them!

With that being said, sometimes the ugly games are the most fun to watch. Don't kill me, hear me out...

I love the chaos and the weirdness of a 10-6 game. A gritty defensive battle, I'm all in for! It shouldn't be easy to get touchdowns or kick field goals. As rules change (in any sport for that matter), they are almost always in favor of more scoring. In my opinion, it messes with the integrity of the game. I like when they let the DB's play a little physical, this is football!

[markf]

The CFL and TSN must be happy with this from Luke. Imagine how long an NFL network reporter would last after doing this.

Get invited to someone's  home for dinner, and proceed to give them an analysis of everything wrong with the place.

This is so American.

[blue_gold_84]

I think he is right in saying there are some ugly CFL games.

Sure, but to what end? There are ugly games in the NFL, NHL, MLB, NBA, etc.

Denigrating the CFL based on a single game - one that was ugly but also entertaining right to the finish - seems lazy and disingenuous. Especially coming from a guy who's never played a single snap in the CFL.

[bomb squad]

The only thing he has a point on is the penalties. I don't know what the league can do about that, but it's something they should look at.

The rest of his rant is way off. It comes off as arrogance veiled in "just trying to be helpful here". Furthermore, it's his opinion but he's projecting that onto a demographic. Again arrogance. I'm disappointed because I liked the guy and his analysis up to this point.

Lastly, on the fact check front, if the Riders missed a field goal at (or near I guess) the end of the game that would have sealed it, why would they be kicking off? Did TO actually elect to have them do that instead of taking the ball on the 40?

[Blue In BC]

The rouge is an important aspect of the CFL game.  Wilson should be more concerned about NFL K/O's that are as boring as boring can be. You may as well eliminate them from the NFL game. That and fair catches. How about teams that can't get a 1st down on 4 th and less than a yard.

Yeah, I'm not a particular fan of lots of things in the NFL.